Trinity, Atmore hosts “Blue Sunday” for first responders

By Bonnie Bartel Latino
Special to The Coastline

On September 13, the Sunday closest to 9/11, the streets around Trinity Atmore were filled with fire trucks, police cars and an ambulance at the 11 a.m Holy Eucharist service. Emergency workers dressed in their distinctive blue uniforms filled pews designated by enormous blue bows. Mayor Howard Shell and his wife, the Directory of Public Safety and the Fire Chief were also in attendance. None of them are Trinity parishioners. They were there by special invitation.

Senior Warden Bob Goforth explains. “Blue Sunday was Trinity’s way of thanking Atmore’s First Responders for their dedicated service to the community. It was heartwarming to have Mayor and Mrs. Shell, the Director of Public Safety, the Fire Chief and a large number of fire fighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel in attendance . . . The service conducted by The Reverend Massey Gentry was superb. Trinity also was very grateful to Merle Matthews’ children Dale, Cindy and Hooper for providing an absolutely magnificent meal.”

Highlights of the service included having the American flag carried in the processional by our senior warden, a retired Marine Lt. Colonel helicopter pilot; congregational singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful;” the Blessing of the First Responders and special prayers for the nation. However, it was the sermon by recently retired priest, The Reverend Massey Gentry, that opened hearts and touched souls.

Using a term adapted from (the late) Ayn Rand novel, “Atlas Shrugged,” Rev. Gentry spoke about the times in all our lives in which Atlas shrugs… and our world view shifts radically. Things are less perfect than previously thought. We are more vulnerable than we ever thought imaginable. Perhaps it is due to the loss of a home by fire or loss of worldly possessions by theft – times when we appreciate police officers, fire fighters and emergency technicians as never before. From there, he built his sermon of gratitude to all First Responders. By the conclusion of Reverend Gentry’s powerful, thought-provoking sermon, tears glistened in the eyes and voices of everyone at Trinity.

As Bob Goforth mentioned, after the service, a meal, which was a gracious plenty, was served in the parish hall by the adult children of long time parishioner, Merle Matthews. Many in our Diocese and in the Diocese of Alabama have held Mrs. Matthews in prayer following a devastating Rottweiler attack in late February. It was a long spring and summer for “Merley Pearley,” as she is affectionately known at Trinity Atmore, but she has made a remarkable recovery. Her family and our congregation thank you all for keeping Merley Pearley in your prayers and in a special pocket of your hearts.